ORIGIN

Bought on BaT: Four Classic 4×4’s From the US & Japan

There’s a wide world of capable and interesting old 4×4’s to choose from, but for this feature we’ll narrow our focus to just four of our 60’s Era favorites, including the original Ford Bronco, Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser, International Harvester Scout and second-generation Nissan Patrol. Each of the quartet approach the same time-tested formula with a similar approach, but each has its own distinct style and character as well. All four are seeing recent upswings in interest and values, though good deals for good drivers are still within reach.

Want to be notified when one of these models is listed for sale, or to see detailed past auction results? You can check out BaT Model Pages for each of the vehicles below by clicking on their results chart, or via the search function at the top right.

Ford Bronco (first generation 1966 – 1977)

The first generation of Ford’s soon-to-return Bronco nameplate debuted in the late 1960’s, and was conceived to compete directly with CJ Jeeps and International’s Scout. Like those two, the Bronco was a tough, utilitarian design offering good off-road performance combined with crude but acceptable on-road manners–the latter including a bouncy ride, high noise levels and vague, tipsy handling, but for us and many others these are all a big part of the fun. A removable top is another big draw, and all three versions (wagon, half-cab pick-up and roadster) provide chances for wind-in-the-hair driving.

Cut, uncut, lifted, stock or anywhere in between, there’s a lot to love about Ford’s first dedicated 4×4. Around $50k will net an attractive, unrestored and low-mileage 302/3-speed example like this BaT Auction alumnus, though that’s near the top of the market and very good driver-level trucks can still be had in the low to mid $20k range, especially if you’re open to six-cylinder power. Prices occasionally dip into the high teens as well, though the sweet spot looks to be right around $25k or so. Click the chart below to see all past BaT Auction results for Broncos, or you can click here.

Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 (1960 – 2001)

Though not the first generation of Toyota’s Land Cruiser line, the FJ40 was the first to sell in really big numbers, arguably saving the company’s fledgling US operations while Japan figured out how to make cars usable on our highways and interstates. Styling followed a pattern set by earlier ‘Cruisers, but refined to what’s now among the most instantly recognizable shapes in all of 4×4 Land. We dig them all–two-doors, pick-ups and troop carriers, though typically it’s the classic removable top two-door variants which are most attainable.

Stock usually means Toyota’s Chevy-based F-series of gasoline straight-sixes for those of us here in the US, though a wide range of diesels were offered as well. Brazil-built Bandeirante examples utilized Mercedes-Benz legendarily tough line of OM-series diesels from 1968 to 1993, and South American production lasted all the way through 2001–a full 17 years longer than anywhere else in the world. Well-built V8 swaps are cool too, offering much improved power and cruising capabilities with even fairly mild tunes. Projects can be had for as little as $5k, beautifully restored examples can fetch around $50k, and the current sweet spot cuts a fairly wide swath of around $20k – $35k. Click the chart below to see all past BaT Auction results for FJ40 Land Cruisers, or you can click here.

International Harvester Scout (1961 – 1980)

Though not the most obvious choice of vintage 4×4, the International Scout holds its own when it comes to both capability and coolness. For starters it’s the oldest design here, and was hugely influential in forming the modern SUV as we know it. Throw in the fact it’s from a relatively small but historically important orphan brand with a rich 4×4 heritage and it’s easy to see why a good Scout is worth a closer look. Through its many generations and sub-variants the Scout stuck to the same basic design theme, combining simple, tough mechanicals and distinct but equally utilitarian styling. Parts availability remains good thanks to a number of specialist suppliers, and most engines including V8 options were all International.

Somewhat differently than with the other three models highlighted here, we’re focusing all generations of Scout for this feature. These include the original Scout 80, followup 800, 800A and 800B models, and as pictured above, the final Scout II. A wide variety of engines, transmissions, tops and even a few wheelbase options (on later examples) were available, though our favorites combine IH-designed and built V8’s with manual transmissions. Projects and scruffy drivers can be had for four figures, with the top of the market coming in at about $40k. In between is where the widest variety of Scouts will be found, like this sweet ’79 345ci V8. Click the chart below to see all past BaT Auction results for IH Scouts, or you can click here.

Nissan Patrol (second generation 1959 – 1980)

If the Scout is the orphan of the bunch, we’d say the Patrol is the odd man out. Not for its engineering or styling, both of which were pretty conventional, but more for the fact that these second-generation trucks are probably the scarcest of the bunch–at least here in the US where they were sold only from 1962 through 1969. Marketed as a Nissan here from the start, the marque’s other North American offerings would all wear Datsun badges until the early 1980’s. Power came from a 4.0 liter OHV gasoline straight-six similar in design to that seen in the FJ40, and similarities with the Land Cruiser carried over into the Patrol’s styling and driving experience as well.

Another similarity with the Toyota is that two-doors seem to be the most widely available, and whether equipped with a hard or soft top, both are fully removable. The windshield will fold flat as well, and doors pull right out of their hinges with ease. This great period US commercial shows how Nissan really went after the rugged outdoorsman market, and similar ads from the time even featured Roy Rogers driving his Patrol around the family ranch. Prices currently range from around $13k – $26k, though as BaT features more of these trucks we’ll have a wider data pool to draw from. Click the chart below to see all past BaT Auction results for Patrols, or you can click here.